I’m linking up this week with the SITS girls because they’re doing a week of fun prompts and I like fun. And I like the challenge of writing to prompts on occasion. I also like From Tracie and am down to be a part of anything she has a hand in creating. And her hands? All over these prompts. Sign up here, if’n you wanna.
Today’s prompt is to share something we look forward about fall.
Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. The sun still shines after the work day is done, the air hovers at a pleasant temperature on most days and the nights require hoodies and snuggling up under blankets. The clothes rule – tall boots, cozy sweaters, cute hats, scarves and gloves. And the food is killer, both in taste and to the waist. Comfort food sticks to more than just ribs. Thick, creamy soups; warm, spiced baked goods; anything with pumpkin.
Fall kickstarts to the holiday season, it’s like the gateway to awesome. Adorbs little ghosties at the doo. Trotting with the turkey and a rambunctious, friendly crowd at the Portland Zoo and then the gluttony that ensues. Shining eyes and drop-jawed awe at all the Christmas cheer and goodwill and shenanigans. It all sends me. Especially with the kid being of perfect age for full magic appreciation.
The promise of the true new year (school year, obvi) crackles in the air with visions of freshly sharpened pencils, unmarred notebooks and robot backpacks dancing in my head. The excitement of ALL.THAT.NEW. driving adrenaline through wiggly, little bodies. New teachers, new friends, new skills to be accomplished. And for mama, new teevee.
Premiere week gets my juices flowing. I love seeing the old familiars, catching up, how’s the wife and kids, how was your summer and all. And checking out the new kids, seeing if we mesh, pulling for that weird, little show to hunker down and pull up its ratings so we can continue our new love. I love the continuity of those relationships and how they’re parceled out over time. I adore the long stretch of uninterrupted weekly episodes.
But there’s another side to fall, one that’s less charming and glorious and settles like a dark and rusty mantle just about this time every year. I read about the rapid light change phenomenon and it all clicked into place. No wonder my broken-down synapses resist the allures of the luscious, lovely fall despite all the wonder that populates my life. Depression is a wily fuck and can topple you when you least expect it. If you’re like me and have an inclination towards shaky mental health (depression, anxiety, any other diagnosis from the grab bag of mental disorders) be aware of the possibility of trigger time and take some steps to help you cope.
Light box therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, motherfucking laughter, scheduling time with friends and family, writing, singing, piña coladas or getting caught in the rain, a host of other things that work for each of us. Reach out. And, when you feel that pressure crushing you like a crumpled paper bag, take a breath and remember the light will slow down and this too, will pass.
This world needs every one of us for as long as we can manage to dig our nails into the earth and hold on. And yes, that means YOU.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Cindy
September 26, 2012 at 6:40 am
Yep. Fall rules. Sweaters. Boots. Maybe we’ll actually have some weather that requires them this year, because last year? Sucked.
Lulo
September 28, 2012 at 2:38 pm
The year that I spent the winter in Denton was when they had the ice storm and school was closed for two weeks. The rest of the winter I think I wore a sweater like twice. Here’s hoping you get more than that this year.
Triplezmom
September 26, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I love fall, but my loathing for winter sort of permeates it.
I love the Portland Zoo and got to do research there with the bats when I was in grad school, so am jealous.
TEEVEE!!!!!!!!! It’s sad how excited this makes me.
Lulo
September 28, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Oh, I loathe winter too. Especially on the East coast. Shit gets brutal.
Zomgs, research with the bats?!? The bats are my son’s favorites. He would squee if he could interact with them in some way.
I’ll be sad right along with you because I am super fantastico excited!
Amelia
September 26, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Mostly I hate all seasons that aren’t summer. Can you imagine how cranky I would be if I lived somewhere that there was 4 actual seasons?! *shudder*
You do make it sound nice though, reading about it is fine. As long as the sun is shining and I’m sweating in my tank top.
Maybe it’s because I don’t have tv.
Lulo
September 28, 2012 at 2:33 pm
I picture Northern Cali as kind of perpetual fall. I must rectify this misinformation by visiting there one of these days.
Amelia
September 29, 2012 at 12:06 am
I guess it depends where you go, 2 hours away and it rarely goes over 80, and doesn’t get too too cold in the winter. 2 hours away in a different direction gets essentially the same weather as us but with a shit ton of snow.
We have about 8 weeks of 90 to 110 weather in the summer, and I really don’t pay attention to rest ‘cept to bitch. It snows pretty light 1 time a year at my house, rains not very much compared to OR and WA, but enough to annoy me. I have to wear long johns for all temps under 65 and it feels like I wear them a bunch.
Tracie
September 26, 2012 at 10:35 pm
You are so my people. Because fall is about new tv coming back, and yet so few people celebrate the importance of that moment.
Lulo
September 28, 2012 at 2:32 pm
It’s a holy time. We better recognize.